Clarence Matthews Named to Preseason First Team
Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee State University Men's Basketball team has been predicted to finish second in the 2006-07 Ohio Valley Conference race.
TSU forward/center Clarence Matthews was selected to the Preseason All-OVC first team. The preseason team and predicted order of finish were voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
During the 2005-06 season, Matthews, a 6-7, 250 lb senior from Beaumont, TX, averaged 13.9 points per game and was finished as OVC leader in rebounds with 239 in 28 games (8.5 rpg) and Field Goal percentage (.545). He led the league in both offensive rebounds with 86 (3.07 pg), and defensive rebounds with 153 (5.46 pg). He was second in the conference in Blocked Shots with 47 (1.68 pg).
"I'm happy that Clarence was picked for this preseason honor." said TSU head coach Cy Alexander. "His play has shown him to be very deserving of this "
Alexander continued, "I guess the conference voted us preseason number two with the thought that we would have Bruce Price back with us, but his absence will mean we have to work extra hard to meet that standard (#2)."
Tennessee State will open their regular season schedule on November 19th, playing at Western Kentucky in the first round of the Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Invitational Tournament. From WKU the Tigers travel to play at Kansas on November 21st and then on to Las Vegas to face Prairie View A&M on November 24th and either Chattanooga or Towson on November 25th.
The Tigers will play at Alabama (12/2) and Middle Tennessee (12/7) before opening at home with two OVC games against Southeast Missouri (12/7) and Eastern Illinois (12/9). TSU will close out the calendar year playing at Auburn (12/19), hosting Ball State (12/22) and traveling to Loudonville, NY for a match-up with Siena.
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2006-07 OVC MEN'S BASKETBALL
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Samford - 177 points (9 first-place votes)
2. Tennessee State - 169 points (6 first-place votes)
3. Tennessee Tech - 165 points (4 first-place votes)
4. Murray State - 144 points (3 first-place votes)
5. Southeast Missouri - 134 points
6. Austin Peay - 110 points
7. Jacksonville State - 103 points
8. Eastern Kentucky - 71 points
9. Eastern Illinois - 56 points
10. UT Martin - 53 points
11. Morehead State - 28 points
2006-07 PRESEASON ALL-OVC
MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Shawn Witherspoon, F, Sr., Murray State
Courtney Bradley, F, Sr., Jacksonville State
Clarence Matthews, F, Sr., Tennessee State
Randall Gulina, G, Sr., Samford
Anthony Fisher, G, Jr., Tennessee Tech
SECOND TEAM
Belton Rivers, G, Sr., Tennessee Tech
Shaun Williams, F, Sr., Morehead State
Travis Peterson, C, Jr., Samford
Mike Robinson, G, So., Eastern Illinois
Dorien Brown, F, Jr., Jacksonville State
OVC PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Shawn Witherspoon, Murray State